Save Our Supported Housing

From young care leavers and army veterans to people with learning disabilities and those escaping homelessness or domestic abuse, there are currently around half a million people living in supported housing in the UK. Here, Julie Layton, Chief Executive of leading provider of specialist supported housing, Advance, explains why this is at risk and what the Government needs to do to save it.

Wherever anyone finds themselves in life, whatever challenges they’re facing, I firmly believe that everyone deserves a consistent, safe base to call home. So, whether in the short or long term, supported housing is an essential service that has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.

While what we’d recognise as supported housing started being more widely available in the 1970s, its roots go back to the late 19^th century when housing associations began to provide specific housing for those in need of somewhere to live. These homes included some forms of supported housing. 

With the growing population, you’d expect to see a continual increase in the amount of supported housing available. However, instead of gaining pace and providing more people with the chance to live independently, supported housing is facing an unprecedented crisis.

What’s the problem?

As a result of Government and local council funding cuts, the sector saw one in three providers of supported housing cease to offer their services during 2024. This has created a massive shortfall of 350,000 places.

Research by the National Housing Federation (NHF) predicts that six in 10 providers will have to close supported housing schemes in the future and a third may be forced to stop providing supported housing altogether, which would mean a further loss of 70,000 supported homes across the country.

One of the biggest causes of this issue began in 2009, when council funding for housing-related support was removed. When council budgets were cut during austerity from 2010 onwards, funding was redirected to other areas, so many councils had to cut supported housing services.

In the last three years alone, we have seen a net loss of over 3,000 supported homes. Added to those individuals still waiting for a home, the unmet need in England is growing drastically – and the sector needs help.

Why does it matter?

First and foremost, the supported housing sector is a key source of support for the NHS and social care. It provides safe, supportive homes that reduce the need for hospitalisations, as well as reducing levels of homelessness that result in pressures on the NHS and beyond. Having access to supported housing also means that people currently reliant on the social care system who are able to live independently can do so, reducing pressure on these services.

Having access to supported housing also provides a safe haven for those fleeing domestic violence situations and for people such as veterans, that require support and assistance to adjust to a new way of life.

At Advance, we passionately believe that every person should be valued for who they are, and that everyone should have access to their own safe and comfortable home. Organisations will struggle to provide this if the Government does not step in and improve funding for supported housing. And not just for the people waiting for homes, but for those already in a supported home.

Advance customer, Jason, is a great example of the transformative difference that specialist support and a safe and secure home can have on someone’s health, wellbeing and day to day life.

Aged 39, Jason has autism, a learning disability and other mental health challenges, including a condition that induces severe vomiting. While his family did the best they could for Jason, as the years passed, Jason’s condition and behaviour became difficult and dangerous for them to manage, and Jason was hospitalised after falling ill in 2017. Jason remained in NHS care for many months as care providers struggled to find a suitable place for him to be discharged to.

Luckily, Advance was able to help and found Jason a place in a supported flat. Since he moved into his home, with the help of a care team, Jason has thrived. His vomiting condition is under control and he’s been able to work with staff to improve his moods and emotions. He has the strength and confidence to travel from his home in a car or bus daily (something that was not possible previously) and has even been able to attend functions, like Advance’s seasonal parties. From moving into his flat weighing just 35kg, he now weighs a healthy 52kg and his eight years living independently with support from Advance have seen him flourish into a happy individual, becoming less reliant on care.

It's people like Jason who are at risk if more providers are forced to cease offering supported housing due to a lack of funding.

What can be done?

The NHF is leading industry action to call on the Government to Save Our Social Housing. Advance is one of over 170 organisations helping to drive the NHF’s #SOSHousing campaign. Together, we have signed and submitted an open letter to Government asking Prime Minister Kier Starmer to review plans for the care sector and consider the importance of supported housing in the UK.

We are asking the Government to support the following proposals so that organisations like Advance can continue to offer specialist housing and support to those who need it:

• A significant increase in funding for housing-related support to at least £1.6bn per year.  
• A commitment to delivering more supported homes by 2040, with clear funding in the Affordable Homes Programme and supported homes a key part of the government’s 1.5m housebuilding target.   
• That the long-term housing strategy and homelessness strategy encompass the vital role of supported housing in the housing system. 

Advance is working hard to help drive this #SOSHousing campaign and we are doing everything we can to raise awareness of the issue. I am adamant that we will not only protect all the customers we currently support, but that we drive the necessary change so that anyone who needs access to a safe home can secure it.

What can you do to help?

Our joint open letter has now been delivered to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. However, there is still plenty you can do to help raise awareness and increase the pressure for change.

You can write to your MP and raise their awareness of the issue and garner their support for increased funding in Parliament. This is really easy to do, and you can find a letter template to use on the NHF’s website here.

You can also raise awareness on social media, encouraging your followers and connections to write to their MP too. There’s great social media graphics and suggested post content that will help you on the NHF’s website here.

Make sure you follow Advance and the NHF on social media too, to keep up with the latest updates and to share any news with your followers.

There’s no denying the importance of supported housing. Losing it from our nation’s housing landscape is simply not an option. I, and everyone at Advance, will continue to fight for the funding local authorities and housing associations need, so they can continue to offer and build on the services they provide.